HOME /

Classes

Slab Happy and Beyond!

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2019

Dates: September 4 - November 20Pam Gorgone
Days/Times: Wednesdays, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Instructor: Peter Berry, Pam Gorgone, Joanna Mark, Delanie Wise

Course description: This course will cover a variety of hand-building techniques with a primary focus on slab built work using both hard and soft slabs. The class will also include demonstrations of both coil and pinch techniques to provide the student with a range of hand-building options.  We will also explore a range of surface decorating processes including glazing, Mishima, and stamping. This class will help beginners to think about surfaces in new ways, while advanced students will explore better composition and development of personal vision. (12 classes/14 weeks)

... Read more about Slab Happy and Beyond!

Rethinking Pinch-Forming

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2019

Dates: September 9 - November 25 ***Waitlisted for Adult Community***Paul Briggs
Days/Times: Mondays, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Level: Beginner - Advanced
Instructor:Paul Briggs

Course description: Join 2019-20 Artist in Residence Paul Briggs in focusing on ceramic pinch pots as much more than an introductory hand building process. Today increasing numbers of ceramists are pinch-forming vessels and have found the method to be far more than an introduction to clay, but a technique for creative expression in ceramics on par with all others. Pinch forming isn't a fast process and one must be mindful in ways that are quite different than working with slabs or throwing on the potter's wheel. To pinch well, one must slow down, focus, and feel the clay during every pinch. Today, given that our way of being is fast paced, and we are constantly plugged into technology and social media, once students settle themselves down into the process, they may find pinching to be meditative, quieting process during which they can turn off the brain chatter. (12 classes/13 weeks)

... Read more about Rethinking Pinch-Forming

The Figure

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2019

Dates: September 5 - November 21Claudia Olds Goldie
Days/Times: Thursdays, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Level: Beginner - Intermediate
Instructor: Claudia Olds Goldie

Course description:While learning to create figures that are proportionate, expressive, and anatomically correct, we will explore ways to create narrative and psychological content. Looking at images of historical and contemporary sculpture, we will consider ways in which the figure, with or without a specific context, creates a story for the viewer to interpret or be drawn into. We will work from photos, imagination, as well a live figure model. (12 classes/14 weeks)

... Read more about The Figure

Contemporary I

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2019

Level: All levels
Instructor: Nailah Randall-Bellinger
Accompanist: Akili Jamal Haynes 
This course introduces the fundamentals of classical Modern dance technique and shows its evolution into what is now called Contemporary dance. Students are introduced to the basic vocabulary of Graham, Horton and Limón techniques, including such terms as the c-curve, undulation, lateral arch, fall and rebound, spiraling, release swing, and contract and release. The use of the torso and working in a way that is “grounded” are emphasized as defining modern dance movement qualities. In addition to building a strong vocabulary of classical modern dance, as it applies to contemporary dance, the students will explore each style through a series of movement studies designed to develop one’s muscle memory and movement fluidity. Live accompaniment! 
Location: Harvard Dance Center, Studio 1
Days/Time: F 6-7:30pm

Attire: Workout/dance wear or anything comfortable to move in and bare feet or socks. 

... Read more about Contemporary I

Interdisciplinary Projects

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2019

Dates: September 3 - November 19Get it done
Days/Times: Tuesdays, 6:30 - 9:30pm 
Level: Beginner - Advanced
Instructor: Anne Eder and Kyle Johns

Course Description:  This class is a forum for experimentation with contemporary art methods of ceramic sculpture, mixed media, and installation, including site-specific work. The focus will be on the pragmatic aspects of creating interdisciplinary work on a fixed schedule: prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, selecting materials, anticipating and finding solutions for problems, as well as employing a fluid work flow between two and three dimensions and other media such as sound and performance. For those who choose to participate, there will be a public exhibition opportunity at the end of the course. A variety of skills will be covered, including sculptural clay and hand building, images on clay, alternate materials to clay, and skills related to navigating the world outside the studio. (12 classes/14 weeks).... Read more about Interdisciplinary Projects

Explore | Refine

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2019

Dates: September 5 - November 21 ***Waitlisted for Harvard Graduate Students and Adult Community***Zac Mickelson
Days/Times: Thursdays, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Instructor: Zac Mickelson

Course Description: This class format focuses on breaking old habits and considering new directions to take our work including utility, form and surface - including a soda firing! There are four, three-week cycles to this 12-week class. For two weeks, students, with the guidance of the instructor will “explore” through experimentation with different forms. The third week, the group comes together to “refine” through critique intended to refine our ideas. This format is then repeated three more times. Though this class does focus primarily on the wheel, hand builders are welcome! Class demonstrations will be given based on student input with the remainder of the class being one-on-one help. (12 classes/14 weeks)

... Read more about Explore | Refine

Wheel Intensive

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2019

Dates: September 9 - November 25wheel intensive
Days/Times: Mondays, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Instructor: Steve Murphy

Course Description:  Focusing primarily on the wheel, this class for intermediate to advanced potters will explore size, form, refinement, and surface. This Fall, the focus of the class will be on Japanese ceramics and the concept of wabi sabi – the traditional Japanese aesthetic of a world centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. Tea Ceremony ware including tea bowls (Chawan) and water containers (Misusashi) will be demonstrated. Students should arrive with an ideas of what forms and/or techniques that they would like to improve upon during this class. Class demonstrations will be given based on student input with the remainder of the class being one-on-one help. (12 classes/13 weeks)

... Read more about Wheel Intensive

Contemporary Latin/Ballroom

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2019

Level: All levels
Instructor: Ilya Vidrin
Teaching assistant: Jessi Stegall 
For all levels, Contemporary Latin/Ballroom is a practice based in the foundations of ballet, American modern techniques, and Latin/ballroom principles. Each class begins with a rigorous warm-up designed to hone physical coordination, balance, and strength. Exercises are rooted in rhythm and musicality, evolving fluidly from individual movement to paired actions of moving together. Students will develop and practice foundational skills of partnering, emerging from dances like the cha-cha, rumba, salsa, waltz, merengue, samba, and tango. 
Location: Harvard Dance Center, Studio 1

Attire: Workout/dance wear or anything comfortable to move in and socks. 

Bharatanatyam

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2019

Level: All levels 
Instructor: Sunanda Narayanan
A class for all levels introducing students to Bharatanatyam, an ancient classical dance form of India that has been continuously practiced and performed for over a millennium. This dance style is highly stylized combining pure dance and mime accompanied by music, rhythm, and lyrics. Students will learn about intricate pure dance movements that demand coordination and that combine footwork, hand gestures, eye, and neck movements. Students will also learn to communicate using facial expressions to convey the meanings of song, as well as the history and spiritual connection of the art form. Each class will include a warm up and dance movements that will lead to learning short dance pieces.
Location: Harvard Dance Center, Studio 2 
Days/Time: T 6-7:30pm

Attire: Suggested attire for class is leggings, long t-shirts or tunics, and bare feet. 

Introduction to Wheel Throwing

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2019

Dates: September 4 - November 20 ***Waitlisted for Harvard Graduate Students***ruth easterbrook
Days/Times: Wednesdays, 10:00 - 1:00pm
Level: Beginner - Intermediate
Instructor: Ruth Easterbrook

Course Description: Join 2019-20 Artist in Residence Ruth Easterbrook with an introduction to using the potter’s wheel as a tool for making pots, closed forms and parts to connect. Through demonstrations and hands-on learning each class will build off each other to gain skills and confidence in clay. (12 classes/14 weeks)

... Read more about Introduction to Wheel Throwing

Skills for Singing

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2019

Dates: TBD
Days/Times: TBD

Instructor: Elizabeth Eschen
Location: Holden Chapel


Course description: A fall and spring co-curricular course offering training in fundamental skills for singing: ear training, sight-reading and vocal technique. Students will study basic music theory as well as vocal pedagogy, applying this knowledge every week in a masterclass-type format. Students will discover what makes their voice unique and start celebrating their personal artistry through song, culminating in a class recital. Repertoire varies and is dependent on the student, with attention to audition preparation for interested parties. Participation in the course is encouraged for those students looking to audition for one of the Harvard Choruses or any new members of the Choruses looking to further their vocal abilities.... Read more about Skills for Singing

West African Dance

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2019

Level: All levels
Instructor: Joh Camara 
Accompanist: Joseph Frechette 
For all levels, this class introduces students to traditional West African dance and culture. Students will develop body strength and flexibility by learning intricate feet patterns, hand movements, and full movement sequences. Each class will be accompanied by live drumming and will include a warm-up, a break-down of the movements, high energy dancing, and will close with a community dance circle.

Location: Harvard Dance Center, Studio 1 (HDC 1), 66 Garden St.

Attire: Workout wear or anything comfortable to move in and bare feet. 

... Read more about West African Dance

Explore Soda Firing

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2019

Dates:  September 6 - November 22 ***Waitlisted for Harvard Graduate Students and Adult Community***Denny McLaughlin
Days/Times: Fridays, 10:00am – 1:00 pm
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Instructor: Dennis McLaughlin

Course description: Explore nature-inspired visual and tactile surfaces on wheel thrown forms by using soda slips and washes as well as patterns and textures. Fresh spontaneous approaches on soft clay, as well as more structured methods of building functional work with thrown forms will be developed. A three-dimensional artist, from either clay or another discipline will be selected by each student to inspire the development of new methods that go beyond the familiar solution in making a soda fired functional pot.  The experience of building a larger vocabulary of soda firing possibilities and results will lay the groundwork for new directions for functional work. (12 classes/14 weeks)
... Read more about Explore Soda Firing

Pages